University of Saint Mary Inc.
04/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2024 09:59
University of Saint Mary Raises $450,000 for Student Scholarships During SpireFest Gala
University of Saint Mary Raises $450,000 for Student Scholarships During SpireFest Gala
Apr 24, 2024
Have Questions? Contact Us.
John Shultz
VP for marketing and admissions
[email protected]
913-758-6329
(Leavenworth, Kan.) - In its 21st year, the University of Saint Mary SpireFest Gala reached new heights - raising a record $450,000 for student scholarships.
USM held its premier fundraising event on April 20 at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. The evening included live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing, and opportunities to donate to student scholarships.
"Thank you to all who contributed to the success of our 2024 SpireFest," Vice President for Advancement Mark Blanck said. "We are proud to have reached a new event fundraising record in our 21st year. Gifts made during SpireFest truly make a difference in the lives of USM students, and we are so grateful for the generosity of many alumni, friends, sponsors, and USM employees."
The university also surprised Accounting Program Director and Assistant Professor Phil Watlington with the 2024 Saint Marian of the Year Award. Watlington serves as coach of the Spires Trading Team - a program for USM students to trade securities and learn about securities markets under the direction of local experts. The program has seen about 25 percent annual returns since launching in 2021, funding full tuition plus room and board for team members. Visit https://stmary.edu/trading-team to learn more about the program.
The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 11221 Roe Ave. offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.